Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Alert - Philippines - 1/01
The MAYON Volcano in Philippines forcing thousands to flee
Geneva, 24 June, 2001


Some 10,000 of residents fled the Mount Mayon in the central Philippines
due to another eruption of the volcano known as one of the most active
volcanoes in the Philippines. The explosion was registered at 13:00 (5:00
GMT).

The Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology set the alert level
at a maximum 5, anticipating an even greater eruption.

The volcano was being reported erupting gently for days before the final
explosion. The local population complained on the volcano making "very
strong noises" for days prior to the final eruption, which could have been
used as a good basis for an early warning.

Local government, troops and police responded quickly and efficiently,
evacuating some 10,000 from the affected area to safer zones. No
casualties have been reported.

ACT Int'l Coordinating Office will revive and maintain communication lines
with its member in Philippines, National Council of Churches Philippines,
with regard to the potential for an emergency response to the affected
population.

We shall keep you informed of all further steps relative to this crisis
and our proposed assistance to the needy in Philippines.

Thank you for your attention.
For further information please contact:

ACT Co-ordinator, Thor-Arne Prois (phone ++41 22 791 6033 or 
mobile phone ++ 41 79 203 6055)
ACT Appeals Officer, Leila Dzaferovic (phone +41 79 672 0549)


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Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and
their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency
response.  The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of 
Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
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   Ecumenical Centre                          Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33
   150, route de Ferney                         Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06
   P.O. Box 2100                             E-Mail: act@wcc-coe.org
   1211 Geneva 2                              Telex: 415 730 OIK CH
   Switzerland                                 http://www.act-intl.org


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